I’LL TAKE THAT BET
I enjoyed this clean Christian based story that is an addition to the contemporary Lawkeepers series and also a S.W.A.T book. There is a great cast of characters along with two special people and some of their personal issues that will become involved in a relationship. This story has strong Christian principles and faith in God.
Brie Carter, daughter of a billionaire, has lived off of Daddy her whole life. Shopping, partying, and never having to do anything substantial. Her best friend, Ariel, in a matter of boredom, gets Brie to accept a dare of a bet to have a guy fall for her and propose. The prize, she will be sure that Brie has a date with her brother, Kade, a movie star.
Jesse Calhoun is a member of the SWAT team in New York. Where the other guys are enjoying going out drinking, it is not something Jesse does, especially since he became a Christian. The others convince him to join them at the bar after a bad day that resulted in the loss of lives, and he begrudgingly agrees.
The plot will have Ariel and Brie showing up at a bar, and while there Ariel will notice a table of six men, knowing they are law enforcement. She will look the men over and pick out one that is part of the bet that Brie must approach. Brie does her part, buys a round of beers for the table and approaches where they invite her to have a seat. The plan is working, but Jesse isn’t cooperating. It will take the encouragement of Brendan to convince Jesse that Brie is interested in him.
Brie’s world will get turned upside down when her father makes a directive to her about her out of control spending, get a job or get married, and she has one month to do it in. Learning from Brendan that Jesse likes Java Hut, she gets her a job there, also hoping to get to have time with Jesse.
The story will have Jesse being so different from the men that Brie normally encounters, but there is a unique and genuine likeness to him that she calls off the bet with Ariel right away. Getting to know Jesse is a pleasure and then he introduces her to a new world, one that puts others above him or her. Taking her to a children’s hospital and showering the sick children with presents to bring joy to their life, and taking her on simple but enjoyable dates. Inviting her to church and letting her learn more about God will be the measure of whether or not she is right for him.
“If Jesus was what made Jesse so different, she was beginning to think she wanted Him too.”
I loved how Jesse is never pushy about religion or God, he invites and allows her to make up her mind. Jesse’s life reflects his belief, and the more Brie is around him, the less she wants with what the world has to offer. She continues to work her job and now wants to go back to school. But not everyone is going to be happy with the changes in Brie and trouble is on the way. Will the world win or will love come shining through?
“God whispers in our pleasure, He speaks in our conscience, but He shouts in our pain.”
The story is a beautiful example of putting your faith and trust in God, especially in trying times and to pray and think of others. The story is full of second chances, new beginnings, and relationships with God being the center.
“We could certainly use more kindness in the world.”